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First Page
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Bolivia: 50 Years in the Service of the Poor
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Week long celebrations in July marked the 50 years of Oblate missionary presence in Bolivia. A highlight of the week was a two day symposium held in Cochabamba. On the 15th Fr. Juan GorskiPresident of the International Association of Missiologists delivered a paper on the theme “MissionCulture and Christian Commitment.” The following nightDr. Edwin Tapia Frontanilladirector of the daily newspaper Opinionspoke on “The Means of Communication at the Service of Mission.” The Archbishop of Cochabamba presided a Mass of Thanksgiving on Saturday the 20th.
New countrynew ways
July 181952 was a Friday when Frs. Albert SANSCHAGRINValerien GAUDET and Alexandre GAZÉ arrived by train in CataviBolivia. The three Canadian missionaries were welcomed by officials of the Patino Mines Corporation and lodged in the mining company’s guest house. Hardly settled inthey received a visit by a leader of the Nationalist Revolutionary Movement or MNR. They listened in surprise to his request. He asked them to celebrate an election campaign Mass in memory of the sixth anniversary of the murder of president Guaberto Villarroel who was killed on July 211946. They wondered if it was possible to join a religious act with a political act. At least they had two days to think about it.
Perhaps this way of beginning their mission had its meaning. The mining centers at Siglo XXCatavi and Llallagua were noted not only for the production of minerals but also as the birthplace of social movements that spread across the nation. The Oblates wanted to fulfill their mission to the poor. Sothey had come to the mining centers to evangelize. The most evident problems they would face were the spread of communism among the workers and excessive drunkenness that often led to social problems.
This half century of missionary activity has been inspired by two things. The first was the call of Pius XII to give new life to a Catholicism that had been weakened by communist propaganda and Protestant preaching. The second was a letter from Superior GeneralLeo Deschâtelets. He wrote: “From the outset strive to get lay collaborators who can take charge of the Catholic Action with you. Imitate the communists. Look for leaderscreate cellsdraw together groups of workers by good means. There will be problemsbut forge ahead.”
Missionary expansion
Although the mission began in the mining centers where the Oblates organized Catholic Action groupsthe League of Catholic Workersthe JOCJEC etc. they also saw parish ministry as a missionary service to the workers.
Two years after the arrival of the first missionariesother young Oblates arrivedfilled with a great spirit of service and commitment to the mission. This permitted the expansion of the mission to the Bolivian Altiplanofirst the opening of a mission in La Pazthen in Oruroand from there in CarangasCorqueHuachacallaToledoTurco and so on. Emphasis was on the formation of catechists and the evangelization of the Aymara people. The arrival of more missionaries led to a missionary presence in Cochabamba at Pius X parishand finally also at San Martin’s parish at Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia.
May of 1959 saw the birth of Radio Pio XIIat Siglo XXthanks to the hard work of Fr. Lino GRENIER. It is today one of the major radio stations in Bolivia with broadcasting stations also in Oruro and Cochabamba.
Basis of the mission
The geographical location of the mission in the Altiplanowhere there were no religious and no clergyhad its influence on the mission. In general the whole mission was oriented to the formation of Christian leaders able to commit themselves to the Church and to society. The contribution of the Catholic Action groups was big in the first yearsand was later followed by the formation of the laity in the parishes.
The missionaries promoted liturgical renewaleven before the Vatican Council. They developed hymns in Quechua which are still popular today. The Incan masswritten by Fr. Germán Quiñonezunder the direction of Fr. Marcelo Grondinwas a first. Research of the culture bore fruit in the publications like the renowned work of Fr. Santiago MONASTThe Religious Universe of the Aymara. It reflects the Church’s first approach to understanding the Andean culture.
The mission today
More than 40 Oblates (20 priests11 brothers10 scholastics) continue with renewed dedication the initial mission confided to their pioneer forefathers. They pursue their efforts to form leaders at all levels who can be present in the centers where the decisions that decide the fate of the poor are taken. This has not been without its share of suffering and victimsboth lay and Oblate. Fr. Maurice LEFÈBVREwho was shot during the uprising at Banzer in 1971is still fondly remembered thirty years later.
The “Centro de Ecologia y Pueblos Andinos” (CEPA or Center for Ecology and Andean Peoples) continues to study Andean culture and reflects the Oblates’ commitment to the most abandoned of society. Radio Pio XII with its three radio stations serves the people far from the cities and makes its contribution to the promotion of a new Bolivian society where all have a place and a say. The mass media centerCEPROMI (OMI Center for Development)in Cochabamba offers printed and audio-visual materials to raise the general level of education and make people aware of their rights. The Brothersmany of them professionalsteach carpentryagriculturenot to forget the chain of pharmacies and clinics in the various missions and parishes. The social analysis work of Gregorio Iriarte is also known throughout the region.
The Vice-Province is also home to BOLPERthe joint scholasticate of the Vice-Provinces of Bolivia and Peru. Eighteen scholastics prepare to carry on the mission during the next half century. Ten are for Bolivia6 for Peru and 2 from Haitiwho are preparing for the Colombia Mission.
(From material submitted by Fr. Guillermo Siles Paz.)
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General Administration
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New Procurator to the Holy See
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The Rome summer saw a change at the office of the Procurator to the Holy See. Fr. Roberto SARTOR succeeded Fr. Alexander TACHÉ who has occupied that post since February 1995. Born at One di Fonte (Treviso) in 1951 and ordained a priest in 1982Fr. Sartor was assigned to formation ministry in the Province of Italy where he was superior of the scholasticate in Vermicino from 1990 to 1996. After four years as a member of the Oblate community at Lourdeshe studied Canon Law for two years (2000-2002) at Saint Paul University in Ottawa to get ready for his future work. He already has a Ph.D. in civil law from the La Sapienza University in Rome.
The Procurator General acts as canonical or legal advisor to the Superior General and his Counciland sometimes to the other Major Superiors of the Congregation. His task also includes the responsibility for the Congregation’s official contacts with the Holy Seein particular with the offices that are concerned with religiouspriests and missionaries. Likewisethe Procurator is in charge of the relations with the Prefecture of the Papal Household for obtaining tickets for the audiences of the Holy Father and the ceremonies that he presides.
As for Fr. Tachéhe will remain in Rome for some months yet in order to finish the projects that have been confided to him by the Congregation and the Holy See.
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Official website opens WWW.OMIWORLD.ORG
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That is the new name of the General Administration’s “Oblate Communications and Media Service” (OCM) websiteIt went online September 24th. For a short period of time it will be a copy of the OMIOBCOM sitewhich it will eventually replace. The “omiobcom” domain name will be retained for a whileand will link-up to the new web site.
OMIWORLD is hosted in Rome. This will make updating of the site much quicker since the webmaster and technicians will be in the same time zone. The OCM plans to restructure and expand the site with new sectionsincluding a privatepassword access areaopen only to members of the Oblate Congregation.
The OCM is grateful to Fr. Vicente LOUWAGIEwho as webmaster for the past several yearscontributed immensely to the development of the OBCOM siteand to the communications and media services of the General Administration.
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Africa-Madagascar
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Kenya: Mount Kenya East Water Project
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In a common effort to improve the supply of water for the area of the Kionyo Parisha number of local groups approached the Oblates with suggestions and ideas. After tirelessly working towards organizing over 2300 familiesthirty-six local water provision committees have registered to join as partners in the Mount Kenya East Water Project.
The project encompasses a number of interdenominational groups and addresses the needs of the people of the larger community. The project includes the improvement of the present water system by building three considerably large water retainersimproving the intakes from mountain streams with cement catch basins and dramatically increasing the water lines in both size and number to the households and various key community locations. All water pipes will be buried manually to protect the lines as well as to prevent interference with the natural wildlife and their migratory paths within the forest of Mount Kenya.
Three pipelines will connect the 2300 households individually and will also serve institutions in the area: 27 primary schools5 secondary schools8 market centers10 health centers88 churches and prayer houses70 tea buying centers1 tea factory7 coffee factories72 dairy collection centers.
Each household benefitting from the project is required to contribute 1000 shillings (US$12-15) to a term deposit the interest of which will be used for the system’s ongoing maintenance. Plus various fundraising eventsthe users will contribute many hours of physical labor. Generous support has been received from the Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate in Canada and other private donors. Recently the Canadian Government has agreed to provide a grant through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in the amount of $400000.
A few of the innumerable benefits to more than 22700 people will be clean and safedrinking water; a diminishing of intestinal illnesses and typhoid; increased food productiondiversity and quality of diet; improvement of health and hygienic facilities. (From MAMI News.)
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Cameroon: Helping street children
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Five years ago the MATER Association began its activities to help children in distress on the streets of Ngaoundéré with only a box of band-aids and a soccer ball. Today it has a small shelter where street children can live temporarily until they return home or while they are doing their primary studies in the city.
MATERwhich means “mother” in Latinis the acronym for the French “Main Tendue aux Enfants de la Rue” (Hand extended to street children). This association helps children on the streets of the city and in the central prison as well as at the center. During the past five years MATER has been home to 45 children while they prepared to return to their families. Thirty-seven of these have successfully done so. The association has also been instrumental in helping ten youths return home after their release from prison. Besides the temporary boardersmore than 100 children visit the center regularly for a bath or to do their laundry and share a community meal.
In a report to benefactorsthe association presidentBro. Poulakou Pierre PENTA wrote: “At the beginning of the year there were 12 boarders at the center. Four have since gone home. Six of the others are enrolled in primary schools in the city and one in a college; another stays at the shelter selling sweetsbiscuitssoap and the like.”
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Senegal: Disaster at sea
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Earthquakesfloodsfiresair crashes and other calamities in faraway countries can seem just that“faraway”. But they always touch real people’s lives. So it was with the recent tragic capsizing of the ferry boat Djola which claimed more than 700 lives. Delegation SuperiorFr. Giancarlo TODESCOnotes the sorrow of Oblates at Mary Immaculate parish in Dakar-Parcelles who lost their secretaryMrs. Diminga Sambouand several other members of the parish in the tragedy. Mrs. Sambou was also realated to Fr. Louis DIEDHIOU. Other Senegalese Oblates reported losing members of their extended families.
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Keewatin: St. Theresa visits her missions
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As the reliquary of St. Theresa of Lisieux passed through Western Canadathere was a growing sense of excitement and fervor. People came from far and wide to spend some prayer time in the presence of this simpleyet passionate “Saint of the missions.” This was especially true at St. Theresa Point in Northern Manitoba.
At the invitation of Archbishop Peter SUTTON of Keewatin-Le PasFr. Michael DECHANT and Bro. Daniel DIONNE travelled to the isolated community of St. Theresa Point to help prepare the people for the coming of the reliquary of St. Theresa. They appeared on the local televison and radio station to speak about the life and person of the saint. “An interesting coincidence for these peoplereports Fr. Dechantis that it was Bishop Ovide CHARLEBOISthe founding bishop of the areawho was at the forefront of encouraging the request that St. Theresa of Lisieux be named patron saint of the missions. He was also the bishop when St. Theresa Point came to be named in honor of this special woman.”
After the penitential servicethree eldersrepresenting the three people at the foot of Jesus’ crosscame up to pull all these “sins” off the cross. After the celebration of the Eucharistthese papers were then burned outside the churchbeside the statue of St. Theresa. In preparation for the next daysome women completed the image of “pain and crucifixion”. When the people entered the church with the reliquary the next morningthe cross was totally covered in flowers a transformation to a new life of hope and healing.
The reliquary arrived by planeaccompanied by Archbishop Sutton and others. The airport is on an islandso the reliquary was transported across the bay on a bargefittingly decorated for the occasion with ribbonsflowers and balloons. Drummers and singers filled the air with a song of praise and gratitude. For the people of St. Theresa Pointand those from the outlying areasthis was not just the arrival of some bones. The spirit and life and “person” of St. Theresa of Lisieux had truly visited their community. Their lives had been touched by the “holy.” (St. Mary’s ProvinceMAMI News.)
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Labrador City-Schefferville: Bells named after pioneer Oblates
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To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the construction of the church which now serves as the cathedral for the Diocese of Labrador City-Scheffervillethree bells were blessed by Bishop Douglas CROSBY and installed in the bell tower.
As they were being anointed by the bishopthe bells were given names honouring three great Oblates who built the diocese: Lionelin memory of Bishop Lionel SCHEFFERfirst bishop of the dioceseand bishop when the church was built; Theodorein memory of Fr. Theodore ROUSSELpastor of the parish and inspiration behind the construction of the church; and Julesin honour of Bro. Jules AUCLAIREthe Oblate Brother who was in charge of the construction.
During his many years of service in the northern Canadian dioceseBro. Auclaire built 14 churchesnine residences and two schools. In recent years he has worked with Archbishop Peter A. SUTTON in the Archdiocese of Keewatin-Le Pasbuilding and renovating several churches.
In a letter marking the occasionBro. Auclaire wrote: “It is an honour for me to be in the same bell tower as Bishop Lionel and Father Theodore; they were great Oblatesmen of deep faith!”
The bells pealed for the first time on the feast of St. Theresa of the Child Jesusprimary patron of the diocese.
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Europe
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Italy: 200 at Youth Congress
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From July 23 to 28two hundred young people from six regions of Italy gathered in Sassone di Ciampinojust outside of Romefor a Congress organized by the Italian Province Youth Movement Costruire.
The participantswho were between 14 and 19 years of agefollowed an intense program that was both interesting and well-organized. Besides meetings of the whole groupthe youth could participate in workshops and focus groups. In the first ones they met according to interests (musicdancetheateretc.)in the second they discussed current topical themes (young people and internetthe man-woman relationshipthe young and sportsetc.). Of particular interest for everybody was the visit to the Oblate community in Marino. In groups of 60 they spent several hours at the Youth Center listening to the history of the community and meeting the young people who are currently at the center for vocational discernment.
There was a theme for every day which was the inspiration for the morning prayer and the various meetings of the day. Among the main speakers were Fr. Fabio CIARDI who spoke on the relationship with God and prayerand Fr. Vincenzo BORDO who related his missionary experience in Korea. Other speakers at Sassone were Fr. Egidio Smacchiapresident of the Federation of Therapeutic Communities for the recovery of addicts and Fr. Marco Sanaviomanager of the youth internet site www.giovani.org. One of the intense moments of the Congress was certainly the penitential liturgy led by Fr. Pino SORRENTINOVicar Provincial. On Friday July 26the young people went to Rome for a pilgrimage to St. Peter’s basilica where Fr. Clyde RauschGeneral Councillor for Europe presided the Eucharist.
During the congress the youth followed with interest the XVII World Youth Day events which were being held in TorontoCanada. They were particularly interested in the vigil with the Pope during the night of the 27-28 July. John Paul II’s invitation to be a generation of builders echoed loudly in the hearts of those who had taken the youth movement’s name “Costruire” (to build) as their motto. (Submitted by Pasquale Castrilli.)
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Lourdes: St. Eugene relics for Youth Village altar
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If you have the courage to climb up to the Youth Village on the hillside above Lourdesyou will discover a nice chapel nested in the trees. On July 16the Bishop of Tarbes and LourdesJacques Perrierplaced relics of St. Eugene de Mazenod in the altar and consecrated the wallsthe cross and the altar. Three stained glass windows from the former Oblate novitiate at La Brosse Montceaux add to the beauty and prayerful atmosphere of this chapel that accommodates about 150 people.
The chapel was built and first opened on July 161993the feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmelto commemorate the last apparition of Mary to Bernadette on July 161858. It is a round stone structurecovered by a tent-like roof that sets on four strong wooden pillars. It blends in well with the tent city that springs up around it every year during the high season for pilgrimages. Every day for four weeks teams of 80 French Boy Scoutsunder the watchful eye of their chaplainFr. Bernard DULLIERtook turns lugging the stones up from a local quarry to the craftsmen from the shrine.
During these nine yearsthousands of young peopleand the many Oblates who accompanied themhave found it a quiet place for a rendezvous with their God. Bernard Dulliernow Oblate Provincial of Francewas happy to be present for the event with the Oblate community at Lourdeswhich is still in charge of the Youth Services. A big gathering of Scoutswith Yves CHALVET DE RÉCY who is now their chaplainwere proud to see the finishing touches put to the work of their elder brothers. (From an article by Yves Chalvet de Récy.)
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Lourdes: Sing the OMI Preface
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The text of the Preface to our Constitutions and Rules has been put to music by Fr. John POOLEa member of the Oblate community at Lourdes. Johnwho describes himself as “not a trained musicianbut one who has a flair for simple melodies and ballads” felt that since the Preface is so important in our life as Oblatesit deserved to find musical expression.
He spent several years preparing a melody and adapting the text that is a summary of the ten paragraphs of the Preface. Bro. Jean-Lecotrenowned music director and organist at the Marian shrinehas added an organ accompaniment. Copies are available from John PooleOMIMaison des Chapelains65108 LourdesFrance.
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Italy: OMI & Internet
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If you ever thought that we Oblates had a monopoly on the initials“OMI”try typing OMI into any Internet search engine. You are in for a surprise. In the Italian Province monthly magazineMissioni OMIFr. Pasquale CASTRILLI has a regular page where he presents Oblate Internet websites. He recently published some interesting and surprising results of a little search for OMI sites. Here are a few examples.
www.omi-italy.it
This will bring you to a company in MonfalconeItaly that specializes in industrial refrigeration and other machines that use compressed air. The site is in both English and Italian. While you may not want to buy an air compressorthe graphics are very well done!
www.www.omi.com
OptiMetricsInc. is a company that provides specialized research and engineering services to government and industry. Their scientists and technicians develop computer models and simulationsanalyze military systemsdesign and build mechanical and optical systems.
www.omionline.org
Opportunities in Medicine in Indiana (OMI) is a non-profit network bringing physicians and physician assistants to the communities in the State of Indiana (U.S.A.) that need them.
Try it yourself. You never know what you will find. Among the 129000 entries found on Google.com you will even find some sons of St. Eugene. Searching for “Oblate” produces better results!
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Asia-Oceania
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Philippines: Archbishop Smith passes away
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The retired Archbishop of CotabatoPhilip F. SMITHdied September 30 at the Notre Dame Hospital in Cotabato City. He would have been 78 years old on October 16.
The late Archbishop was born in 1924 in LowellMassachusetts (USA). He pronounced his first vows on September 81945 and was ordained a priest in Rome on October 291950. After completing theological studies he was given an obedience for the Philippineswhere he arrived in October of 1951. He spent his first years in ministry in parish work in and around Cotabato City.
In 1958young Father Smith was assigned to the Oblate scholasticate in Quezon City (Manila) as Superior. He served in that capacity for six years. At the end of his term he was called back to Cotobato where he became Rector of the then Notre Dame Colleges. He worked hard to gain university status for the NDCa dream which came true in March 1969 with the birth of Notre Dame University. It was a fitting crown to the twenty-five years of enthusiastic efforts by the Oblates to establish schools wherever they went.
The following year he was again appointed Superior of the scholasticate in Quezon City. His term of office was cut short by his appointment as Vicar Apostolic of Jolo in 1972. As Bishop of Jolohe supported the establishment of housing projects to bring together Christians and Muslimsespecially after the burning of the town of Jolo in 1974.
In 1979Bishop Smith was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Cotabatoand succeeded Archbishop Gerard MONGEAUupon the latter’s retirement the following year. Here also he supported the establishment of housing projects in MiryamvilleSultan Kudarat and in MalagapasCotabato City.
In December 1986he was returning to Cotabato from a visit to Salaman when the light plane he was flying in crashedthrowing him out of the plane’s front window. He was seriously injured in that accidentyet continued his pastoral activities despite the slow recovery from his injuries. Failing health finally forced him to resign as Archbishop of Cotabato on May 301998. He gave 52 years of dedicated priestly service to the Church30 years of which were as Bishop of Jolo and Cotabato.
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New Zealand: Koreans and Legion of Mary
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The Legion of Mary is growing in the Diocese of Auckland with the ranks of the legionaries being swelled by Koreans. At the Oblate parish in Masseythere are a men’s group and a women’s group. The numbers are such that a second women’s group is now being established. The Korean members of the Legion of Mary are involved in reaching out to non-Catholic Koreans and are largely responsible for very many of the newly baptised adults in the diocese every year. (From Cosmic).
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Sri Lanka: An alliance against war
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While the drums of war roll in other parts of the worldreligious and civil leaders in Sri Lanka have come together to form a “National Alliance Against War”. Fr. Oswald FIRTHof the Center for Society and Religionis among the fifteen convenors of this movement.
Nearly 110 representatives of organizations working in 18 districts of the country met for a three-day Conference at SubodhiAugust 9-11to discuss the formation of an anti-war alliance which would represent all sections of society. The Conference decided that consolidating the current peace process and preventing a recurrence of war was of the highest importance to the country.
In a press statement the Conference noted that the people of Sri Lanka had voted overwhelmingly for peace in all the previous elections. Yet“forces inimical to peace are attempting to subvert the will of the people by initiating efforts to destabilize the peace process.”
The Conference resolved to organize a Congress of not less than 5000 delegates representing civil organizations. The delegates conference would initiate an action programme to mobilize society against any attempt to subvert the peace process.
“The people of all communities have suffered enormously from the warthe economy has been destroyed and the psychological damage to future generations is immeasurable.” In its press release the Conference said: “All citizens are stakeholders in the peace process. They cannot be bystanders.”
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Sri Lanka - Colombo: 2000th Miraculous Medal Novena
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Fatima ChurchMaradana celebrated the 2000th Novena of the Miraculous Medal Devotion on July 28th. The late Fr. Pierre STEPHAN was the pioneer of this devotionwhich he started on January 301964. It has continued for the past 38 years every Thursday without any break and is fervently attended by thousands of Our Lady’s devotees. The novena has grown from humble beginnings through the effrots of all the Oblate parish priests since the pioneerFr. Stephan. The celebration of the 2000th Novena was organized by the present parish priestFr. Hilary PEIRIS and the parish pastoral council. The Archbishop of ColomboNicholas Marcus Fernandopresided the festive liturgy that closed the celebrations. (Colombo Province newsletter.)
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Latin America
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Recife - Brazil: Walking “For Asphalt”!
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The leaders of the “Pro-Asphalt” movement asked Fr. Jaime KOHMETSCHER to accompany them during a demonstration for paved roads in their area. So on the first Saturday in April he celebrated an evening Mass for them in Piritubaand set out with them at 4 a.m. on the 20 km walk that brought them to the church of Saint Severino in Vitoria at 9 o’clock in the morning. Three hundred people took partchildrenyouths and adults. Their slogan“The people united make a road!”
The movement had been fumbling along for about six years. Twenty rural communities in the Pirituba district had been petitioning the authorities to do something about the terrible condition of their road. The eight kilometers of dirt road that wind down the hills to the paved road just outside of the city Vitoria de Santo Antaois traveled by young and old for their daily needs. The medical post in Pirituba only provides basic first aid and simple medical procedures as well as emergency births. All other medical assistance has to be sought in Vitoria. The aged have to go to Vitoria every month for their pension check. All of the secondary school students have to travel daily to Vitoria. The Oblate missionaries encouraged the Pro-Asphalt Movment to take some concrete action. Together they organized a visit by all the representatives of the various communities to the State Department of Highways and to the Office of the Governor. They received promises of support and action. Of course there wasn’t any.
As a result of this marchwrites Fr. Jaimethe Highway Department has made a detailed study of the road with possible alternatives to its routingbridges and landfills with a projected cost for the project. This news was received in July. Now the Movement is planning another visit to the State Assembly of Deputies and to the Office of the Governor to petition for allocation of the funds needed for the construction to begin. “The people united make a road!”
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Argentina - Chile: Preparing for a new future
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The Provincial Councils of Argentina and Chile met in a joint session July 30-31 in Buenos AiresArgentina. There were two central topics on the agenda: opening a common scholasticate and planning for a congress that will bring together the membership of the two Vice-Provinces in CórdobaArgentinaJanuary 7 to 14 next year.
A common scholasticate
It was decided that this formation house would be in CórdobaArgentina. The decision was taken after a survey of the best places for the students to study and the costs of living. Until the restructuring of the two Vice Provinces both Provincials will be jointly responsible for the new scholasticatewhich will have a regional character. It will be open to scholastics from other parts of the Region and the Congregation. Fr. Argimiro ALAEZ of Chile will lead the team as Superior. He will be assisted by Fr. Santiago REBORDINOS of Argentina who will act as treasurer. The two men will meet at the end of October to plan for the opening of the new scholasticate on February 152003.
An Argentina-Chile Congress
The members of both Provinces are invited to CordóbaArgentina for what is being billed as a “Jornada de Formación” (A formation day.) In fact it will be seven daysJanuary 7 - 14three days of which will be a retreat. Plus being an occasion for the Oblates of the two Provinces to get to know each othermuch time will be spent working together on a draft of the statutes for the integration of the two Provinces. Certain common areas of interest and apostolate will be studiedand some joint activities will be chosen for the coming year. (Servicio Provincial de InformaciónChile).
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United States
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Buffalo (New York): St. Eugene´s feast on the calendar
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The Most Rev. Henry MansellBishop of Buffalohas decreed that the Feast of St. Eugene de Mazenod will be celebrated in his diocese as an Optional Memorial in recognition of the presence and work of the Oblates in that diocese for the past 150 years.
A drive is underway in each of the six areas of the U.S. Province to have the Founder’s feast day celebrated as an Optional Memorial in dioceses where Oblates are present. Thus it would become inscribed in the diocesan Ordos of various dioceses across the country. If this can be accomplished in the coming months it could lead eventually to the addition of St. Eugene’s memorial to the liturgical calendar of the United States and thus its celebration in every U.S. diocese. (From OMIUSA.)
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Godfrey: An “international” novitiate?
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This year’s novice class was truly international in its origins. This was evident as the seven young men made their first vows on August 1. They used five different languages to profess their vows (EnglishPolishSpanishBembaand Creole).
One of the new Oblates was born in Haiti (Quilin BOUZI). Three were born in Mexico (Efren CASTILLOPorfirio GARCIAand Fernando VELAZQUEZ). Juan AYALA was born in Chicago. Lewis Sauti CHILEMBWE is a native of Zambia and will continue his studies for the Zambian delegation in Africa. Poitr NOWAK was born in Polandbut is now a Canadian citizen and a member of Assumption ProvinceCanada. In the past the Godfrey novitiate has welcomed novices from English-speaking Canada. This year’s classhoweverwas particularly noted for its international character.
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Books
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October 2002
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DUMONT André (N. D.-du-Rosaire) and NADEAU Alphonse (St. Joseph) : Trajectoire d’un géant. (The Path of a Giant). The life of Ubald VILLENEUVE. The authors show us the humanity of the manhis spiritual lifehis love of Christ and of his creationespecially for the sick and people suffering from all kinds of addictions. We meet an intense mana reflexive and mature believer. This man changes the way we look at addictionby his teachinghis programs for addictionhis sense of organizationhis missionary strengthhis faith and passion. Éditions Anne SigierQuebec2002268 pp.
MARTINEZ DI PISÓN Ramón (St. Joseph) : Sin and Evil. Translated from the French Le péché et le mal by Richard R. Cooper. The author’s point of departure is the liberating love of God that is not changed by sin. It does not have the last word in God’s relations with humanity. God’s attitude to the sinner is forgiveness. Another perspective in this book is the discovery of what we call the “sin of the world.” This is the sin that is rooted in socialpoliticaleconomicand religious structuresetc. The book is a tool for theology students and those who like to explore in depth an essential dimension of the Judeo-Christian faith. Éditions MédiaspaulSherbrooke2002220 pp.
DE MAZENOD Eugene : Tagebuch 1791-1821. (Diary 1791-1821). German translation by Josef METZLER of Volume 16 of Oblate Writings. It includes the Diary of the Exile in Italy (1721-1802); the Diary of a Stay in Paris (1805); the Diary of the Aix Christian Youth Congregation (1813-1821); the Diary of the Mission of Marignane (1816). Original published by OMI General PostulationRome (1995). Mainz2001215 pp.
DE MAZENOD Eugene : Geistliche Briefe 1812-1856. (Spiritual Writings 1812-1856). German translation by Josef METZLER of Volume 15 of Oblate Writings. Original published by OMI General PostulationRome (1991). Mainz2000300 pp.
MARTINEZ DE PISÓN Ramón (St. Joseph) : Vida no além. (Life in the hereafter). Portuguese translation of the French original L’au-delà. (The Hereafter). An analysis of the universal themes of lifethe future and the afterlife and a presentation of the Christian response to these essential questions. Editora Ave-MariaSão Paulo1999216 pp.
PEELMAN Achiel (St. Joseph) : Le salut comme drame trinitaire. La Theodramatik de Hans Urs von Balthasar. (Salvation as a Trinitarian Drama). Reflections on a little known work of von Balthasar which the author considers an expression of the theologian’s core thinking: Christian salvation is a drama lived by the Trinity itself. MédiaspaulMontreal2002476 pp.
ROSTKOWSKI Marek (General House) : Bibliographia Missionaria Vol. LXV = 2001. This 65th volume in the series lists 3275 titles of booksarticles etc. concerning the missions. It also includes 50 book reviews and 58 pages of index (Authors and PersonsSubject Matters). Pontifical Urbaniana UniversityVatican City2002391 pp.
TAILLEZ Daniel (U.S.A.) : Id?c ich ?ladem. (Walking in Their Footsteps). Polish translation of the English original published in 1998. Meditations from the New Testament using a series of imaginary but lively conversations to bring back to life the first disciples and witnesses of Jesus. Wydawnictwo WAMCracow2001260 pp.
WOESTMAN William H. (U.S.A.) : Papal Allocutions to the Roman Rota 1939-2002. Fifty allocutions of the Supreme PontiffsPius XIIJohn XXIIIPaul VI and John Paul II. Faculty of Canon LawSaint Paul UniversityOttawa2002281 pp.
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